FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Irrigation Association announced the recipients of two new Smart Water Application Technologies awards aimed to recognize water providers for spearheading efforts to conserve water through stakeholder engagement, education and programs that promote efficiencies in outdoor water use. The following awards were presented at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas on Oct. 2:
Outstanding Industry Partnership Award
The Region of Peel and the Regional Municipality of York in Canada were announced as the recipient of the Outstanding Industry Partnership Award. This award recognizes a water provider that has successfully implemented a program focused on partnership building with landscape and irrigation professionals to promote outdoor water conservation.
The regions' Water Smart Irrigation Professional Certification Program aims to reduce water waste and peak water demand in two of the fastest-growing regions of Canada. The program's 82 certified contractors have performed over 600 assessments to date with confirmed savings of over 100 million gallons of water. In addition, the regions estimate a 31-ton reduction of carbon dioxide emissions attributed to treatment and distribution of the saved water.
Outstanding Public Engagement Award
Fort Collins Utilities of Fort Collins, Colorado, was presented the Outstanding Public Engagement Award. This award recognizes a water provider with a successful program focused on public engagement and education on smart, efficient irrigation technologies and practices.
Fort Collins Utilities' residential sprinkler audit program educates customers on efficient landscape watering through one-on-one engagement with their residents. The utility performs irrigation assessments and develops personalized audit reports with recommendations to help customers reduce sprinkler system inefficiencies. Since the program began in 1999, Fort Collins Utilities has provided over 6,000 free residential sprinkler audits and saved the community over 68 million gallons of water.
"Thanks to Southern Nevada Water Authority for allowing us to present these awards at their premier water conservation event," said Deborah Hamlin, CEO, Irrigation Association. "We have partnered with SNWA since the inception of this event and are happy to be able to help share the stories of effective water-saving efforts through this new awards program."
Reducing outdoor water use has become a top priority in communities across North America. More frequent droughts and outdated water infrastructure are placing constraints on providers managing increasing water demand in high population growth areas. As much as half of water used for landscape irrigation is lost due to improper irrigation system design, installation and maintenance, making this an area ripe for transformation.
For more information about these awards or SWAT, go to http://www.swatirrigation.org.
About the Irrigation Association
The Irrigation Association is the leading membership organization for irrigation companies and professionals. The IA is committed to promoting efficient irrigation and to long-term sustainability of water resources for future generations. The IA works to improve industry proficiency, advocate sound water management and grow demand for water-efficient products and services. For more information, visit http://www.irrigation.org.
SOURCE Irrigation Association
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